Making Anniversary a Thanksgiving

Dearly beloved, we will be celebrating our Church 27th Anniversary next Sunday (5th August 2007). As a B-P tradition, Church Anniversary means a time of thanksgiving to the Lord. Whether you are a member or a friend, we would like to call upon you to come and rejoice with us for this auspicious occasion.

How are we to thank our ever faithful and merciful God, even our Savour & Redeemer Jesus Christ? The hymn writer Martin Rinkart, (1586-1649) has written a song entitled: "Now Thank We All Our God".

The song writer reminds us that there are hundreds of reasons why we ought to thank God. For life and for all good gifts of life, for peace, joy, love and grace bestowed. Besides, our Good Shepherd of life is ever near us listening and answering our prayers, to comfort and to wipe away all tears. We should also thank God for guidance, protection, for good health & strength, but most of all, the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Yes, our good Lord has guided the individual and the Church. It is through the ministry of the Word that we are being nurtured and grew in our faith. It is through the prayers of the saints that we are being sustained and kept by the Lord. It is through the mutual care and fellowship of fellow believers that we are exhorted to be steadfast. We truly appreciate God for giving us such a wonderful Christian community that makes us feel like living in a big family. But our highest privilege is that God counted us worthy to co-labour with Him. Truly, there is joy in serving Jesus!

As we look back, God has indeed blessed us over the years. Though we have people who come and go, God preserve the faithful few. Though we may face ups and downs God never disappoints us. In time of needs and wants, God is always there to help and to provide. At times things may go wrong and we feel discouraged, but God is always by our side to strengthen us. We can go on counting God's numerous blessings, but we must respond with true appreciation of thanksgiving. How are we to thank the Lord?

Again, the song writer tells us that we should thank God with our hearts and hands and voices (adding one more, our substance).

God looks not only of our acts but our heart as well. Thanking God from our hearts means there should be a true sense of appreciation. It means to have a yielding spirit in submission to God. It means to put God and His kingdom first in our lives. Many a time, God just wants us to thank Him with our hearts. He is calling the "prodigal son" to return. So, come and give thanks to God not because you are persuaded to or feeling obligated, but you just want to thank God from the bottom of your hearts.

Thanking God with our bodies means offering up our service for Him. Gratitude should result in service as a return of favour. Since it is impossible for us to repay God for the redemption price that He had paid for us (which cost His only begotten and beloved Son), the next best thing to do is to offer our lives as a service to the Lord. To live for the Lord who died for us as a gesture of our true appreciation. So, let us come and thank the Lord by serving the Lord fervently.

Thanking God with our voices simply means worship. God deserve our whole-hearted worship. It is through worship that we express our thankfulness to God. To worship God with our voices is by giving offering of praise unto God. It is through the worship of voices that we are making known the wonderful work of God to all nations. Singing praises to God is one of the ways we are able to magnify the name of God.

However, the act of thanksgiving would not be complete if we come empty handed in God's presence. While our Creator and Maker lacks nothing, He still deserve our offering of love as often express in presenting unto Him gifts (substance) or sacrifices. This gesture of appreciation is a real test of our love for God. For love and thanks should not be in words only but must also in deeds. Therefore, let us bring our gifts and offerings to thank the Lord.

Affectionately,
Pastor David Wong